First up was a trip downstairs to the MRI scanner. Despite my insistence that I could still walk, staff insisted on ferrying me in a wheelchair. Perhaps it is quicker, but I dont like feeling like an invalid! Time enougwh for that later.
I came down minus glasses so found the consent forms challenging. Mostly they need to exclude presence of metal in your body as the magnetic force is so strong it can attract metal to it and any tissue in the way just gets destroyed.
The secret I believe to surviving the claustrophobia induced by MRI scanner is to keep your eyes closed.
This has always worked for me in the past and did today untill I realised that I had forgotten to mention my dental implant. Images of implant crashing through jaw and flying to magnet had me pressing the panic button. Staff quickly reassured me by saying that they couldn't take it out anyway. What does that mean? Its tough luck and your now stuck.! If we could have taken it out we would have?
Anyway we (me and implant) survived.
On return to my room, I had a visit from the lovely anaesthestist. Dr FS.
Comforting as well as informative. Explained that I will be sedated for initial imaging (CT) tomorrow whiel under my head will be stabilised (what an innocous word). Basically my skull will be screwed into a frame to keep it absolutely rigid. I for one am delighted that I will be "under" for that part. Then I am taken to theatre, woken up for the localisation procedure, and then put back under for the chest implant bit.
I also had a visit from Kellie (programming nurse) from Prof Silburns rooms. She did some baseline functional assessment and went into more detail of the joys of living with a neurostimulator or "pacemaker" to airport security guys. Particularly risks of going through airport screening while overseas and having the device turned off accidently and only being able to reset to "factory" default. Moral of the stry -if travelling always take some of your old meds.
Kim (physio) took some before video shot of my walking etc
James from Medtronic explained the device and warned that induction cooking may not be compatible with functioning neurostimulator. That will be an interesting discussion with Michaek!!!
Finally the neurosurgeon Dr TC visited at 6.30 pm and went into great statistical detail of the risks. Im not going to repeat all that as I am focussing on a positive outcome
In between all this activity visits from my darling Michael, Mum and Dad, Robyn and a visit from her husband Neale the cardiac patient downstairs. Who by the way looks remarkably well and I should imagine is starting to itch to go home
Now I need to await the ritual shearing and mega dose of sleey tablet that will hopefully give me a better night
Love to you all
Carmel
PS Michael will take over tomorrow
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